The wife Ive had for years, getting a bit long in the tooth already.
The kid, not so long.
The X, two weeks, this was going to be our introductory ride, 9000km through South Africa, Namibia and Botswana.

And yes, I know it should be pronounced cross and not ex, but The Wife, the Cross and the Kid would make no sense, now would it?

Lets get started.

Some orienteering, were over here.

This is where I meet my family, Ive been on the X for a week already and have done 3000km following this route around South Africa.

Vioolsdrif is on the Orange river, the Orange river is the border between South Africa and Namibia. It looks like this.

Embarrassingly the wife&#8217;s DRZ runs out of fuel as we enter the Namibian border control, and we have to lie it on the ground to get the last dregs from the non petcock side, so we can make the fuel station 2km further.

We refuel the bikes and we refuel ourselves.

My plan is a short run down the river and then an off-road ride through the Kamgab Canyon just to get the joints nice and loose. Just 187km for the day, giving some leeway for the inevitable getting away late and other first day niggles.

Next to the river on the Namibian side there are some vineyards and this is how some of the labourers live.

The road next to the river is nice fast gravel.

This is the first time I ride with Peanut (the Kid) and the luggage all together and my first impression is that it is hellova cramped. I&#8217;m having to resort to the pannier position, one testicle each side of tank.

We turn off into the canyon and it looks like it was a good choice.

Harsh country but good riding.

Namibia has a knack of making one feel small.

Tharina is styling it, looking like she knows what she is doing.

And another pic just because I like the look of the X.

Coming out of the canyon, we stop for a rest and some water.

A closer look at the stick above reveals this.

And even closer.

From here it is good gravel to Canõn Roadhouse where we get a nice campsite, and eat well in the restaurant. The first day went off well, there&#8217;s a long way to go still and starting off on the right foot is heartening.